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Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for August 2010 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (October 19) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In August 2010, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods rose sharply, by 31.9% over August 2009, while that of domestic exports increased by 19.0%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 31.5%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 21.3%.
Comparing the first eight months of 2010 with the same period in 2009, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods grew significantly, by 22.6%, while that of domestic exports increased by 17.3%. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 22.5%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 24.6%.
Comparing the three-month period ending August 2010 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 2.9%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports increased by 3.1%, whereas that of domestic exports decreased by 4.4%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 1.3%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing August 2010 with August 2009, the prices of both re-exports and domestic exports of goods increased by 5.5%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 5.5%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 7.3%.
As regards price changes in the first eight months of 2010 over the same period in 2009, the prices of re-exports of goods increased by 3.9%, while those of domestic exports increased by 5.0%. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 3.9%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 5.7%.
Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.
The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same period in 2009, the index decreased by 1.7% both in August 2010 and in the first eight months of 2010.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
In August 2010, the total export volume to the Mainland of China (the Mainland) went up sharply, by 39.2% over August 2009. Concurrently, the total export volume to the USA, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom increased by 21.4%, 13.6%, 12.9% and 6.4% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to all main destinations increased: the Mainland (+6.8%), the United Kingdom (+4.2%), the USA (+3.9%), Japan (+3.0%) and Germany (+2.0%).
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
In August 2010, the import volume from the USA rose sharply, by 30.8% over August 2009. Concurrently, double-digit increases were recorded for the import volume from Singapore (+27.0%), Japan (+23.9%), the Mainland (+22.7%) and Taiwan (+12.0%).
Comparing August 2010 with August 2009, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Taiwan (+12.1%), Singapore (+10.1%), Japan (+8.0%), the Mainland (+6.3%) and the USA (+4.4%).
Details of the above statistics are published in the August 2010 issue of "Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers". Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/
products/publications/statistical_report/external_trade/index.jsp).
Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918).
Ends/Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:35
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